Volume One, Chapter 14: Gu Chengfeng Distributes Wedding Sweets

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Shen Sisi stepped back abruptly. "Me? You must be mistaken!"

"You are Comrade Shen, right?" The driver wiped his sweat. "No mistake. The order says you’re the one to sign for it."

She snatched the note from his hand—a detailed list of goods.

Perhaps the sender anticipated the driver wouldn’t recognize Shen Sisi, so Gu Chengfeng had written Chen Jianguo’s name on it.

But the recipient had to be Shen Sisi.

This sudden twist caught everyone off guard.

Especially Chen Jianguo, whose face nearly fell to the ground.

He had just been laughing heartily, thinking this was Yang Huaidong’s betrothal gift, but now... his face ached.

Shen Sisi’s mind buzzed. This was... Gu Chengfeng’s betrothal gift. But where was he?

She hadn’t paid any attention to the cargo at all; instead, she grabbed the driver and asked, “Brother, where is the person who sent these goods? Where did he go?”

The driver scratched his head. “He called our leader to prepare the goods and told me to deliver them overnight. I haven’t seen him either.”

Chen Jianguo rolled his eyes in frustration. “Not even showing his face, trying to send some stuff and be done with it? He doesn’t even care about you…”

Before Shen Sisi could speak, the driver interrupted, unable to hold back. “Comrade, don’t judge too quickly. Wait until you see what’s at the back!”

With a wave of his hand, two young men jumped down from the backseat, ropes and carrying poles in hand, beginning to unload.

The latest model Yan brand sewing machines, Yongjiu bicycles, mechanical watches, Shanghai brand radios—the full set of ‘three spins and one ring.’

Also, a solid wood wardrobe, a mirrored dressing table, and a pair of gold bracelets.

One item after another was unloaded, eyes around them wide with astonishment.

What kind of wealthy family could produce such an impressive betrothal gift overnight, just to marry a woman they looked down on?

Shen Sisi was equally stunned. Her intuition told her Gu Chengfeng’s background and resources were far stronger than she imagined, but this couldn’t be allowed to make her uncle look cheap!

She understood Gu Chengfeng’s intention was to save face for her.

To make others see her in a better light.

So they would no longer bully her mother, herself, or her aunt.

But it was really unnecessary...

Just thinking that all these gifts would end up in her uncle’s pocket, used to pay debts or as a dowry for her cousin, made her heart ache terribly.

At that moment, someone joked, “Old Chen, didn’t expect your Sisi has such connections. With such a grand betrothal gift, your daughter Tingting’s must be even more impressive…”

Chen Jianguo’s face flushed with patches of red and blue, snorting coldly. “What’s that? Huaidong treasures my Tingting far more than these superficial things…”

“That Gu guy hasn’t even shown his face yet. I think he’s not sincere at all…”

Before the words could fully come out, a steady, resolute voice rang through the crowd, cutting off the murmurs: “Who says I’m not sincere!”

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Against the setting sun, a man stood tall in a crisp military uniform, outlining a slender figure and taut waist like a line carved by the biting cold wind, exuding a commanding presence.

The oppressive aura he radiated silenced all whispers; no one dared breathe.

With overwhelming force, he strode past the crowd directly to Shen Sisi’s side.

Seeing him, he immediately softened the harshness in his eyes. “Sorry, Shen Sisi, I’m late.”

Shen Sisi’s heart skipped a beat. Seeing him safe and sound, she felt an urge to cry.

“Are you alright?”

He shook his head. “I’ll explain later…”

After calming Shen Sisi, Gu Chengfeng turned to Chen Jianguo.

Beneath his hat brim, his face was stern and cold, his gaze sharp as a blade. “Uncle, I’m late. I hope you don’t mind.”

Under his hawk-like stare, Chen Jianguo shivered, nervously shaking his head. “N-no, I don’t mind. As long as you’re here…”

Gu Chengfeng’s expression darkened as he passed Chen Jianguo, restraining his anger, forcing a somewhat friendly smile.

“Today, I, Gu Chengfeng, come to ask for Comrade Shen Sisi’s hand in marriage. Please enjoy these wedding candies and share in our happiness.”

He then pulled out several large packets of wedding candies, handing them out for everyone to share.

Someone in the crowd recognized him.

“Gu Chengfeng? The notorious bully from Lin County back then!”

“He actually joined the army…”

“And he’s marrying a—” The word ‘lowly’ was about to be spoken but was cut off by Gu Chengfeng’s sharp glare.

Gu Chengfeng’s face darkened as he slammed the candies into the man’s hand. “Can’t even shut your mouth with wedding candies?”

The man trembled in fear, immediately quiet.

Knowing it was Gu Chengfeng, the crowd was caught between wanting to accept and not wanting to, casting sympathetic glances toward Shen Sisi.

A delicate young girl marrying a troublemaker—she surely would suffer in the future…

Finally, Gu Chengfeng found a moment and pulled Shen Sisi aside, producing a small box wrapped in brown paper from his pocket.

“Sorry, the medicine delivery truck broke down halfway. I helped fix it, so I’m late.”

He held out the medicine with both hands like a child who had done wrong, his tone muffled and anxious.

Shen Sisi didn’t even glance at the medicine, her eyes fixed on his blackened fingertips, her heart tightening.

“Why are you apologizing? I should be thanking you…”

She took the medicine and stuffed it carelessly into her pocket, then pulled out a freshly washed handkerchief to carefully wipe his fingers.

Gu Chengfeng looked as if scalded by boiling water, his face flushing deeply. “Don’t touch it. It’s dirty…”

Shen Sisi gave him a reproachful glare, then suddenly gripped his large hand. “Don’t move!”

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Their eyes met—his beating faster as he looked at her determined, serious face.

Unaware, Shen Sisi lowered her head, diligently wiping away the grease, her lips pressed tight in silence.

He must have been unable to wait for the medicine, feeling along the way until he found the broken-down truck.

He had helped fix the vehicle and rushed back without time to wash his hands—he must be exhausted.

“Thank you for your hard work…” Shen Sisi whispered, regardless of whether he heard her, pulling him upstairs. “Let’s wash up and eat…”

The meal was bittersweet.

Chen Jianguo’s face was grim; he dared not voice his anger, silently drinking his bitter wine.

Zhao Shilan chewed her food with a sweet smile, her face creased in delight.

Shen Sisi kept her head down, persistently feeding Gu Chengfeng meat, contemplating how to return these betrothal gifts.

Gu Chengfeng watched the mountain of food on his plate, a smile never leaving his lips.

Only Niuniu, carefree and curious, played happily—poking the radio buttons, crawling under the sewing machine to play with the pedals—busy and joyful.

After the meal, Shen Sisi wanted to discuss the betrothal gifts, but Gu Chengfeng stood and pulled out a brown paper envelope.

“Auntie, uncle, the betrothal gifts have been delivered, and the promised bride price is ready. I’m taking Sisi with me. The train leaves at three this afternoon—we won’t stay long.”

Zhao Shilan was stunned. “So soon?”

Glancing at Shen Sisi, Gu Chengfeng felt he’d already delayed too much.

“My leave has started.” His words silenced all objections.

He urged Shen Sisi to collect their things, but she grabbed him into a corner.

“Gu Chengfeng, are you really giving up all these gifts?”

He put a finger to his lips, bringing her close. “I told you, what shouldn’t be his, he won’t take a single thing…”

Shen Sisi couldn’t guess his plan, so she stopped thinking and chose to trust him.

Time was running late; they had to pack quickly and depart!